Finally! The University Park Undergraduate Association OKed a ride sharing option at their final general assembly last evening. According to last night’s assembly, Penn State and the UPUA are going to collaborate with the B-cycle corporation to bring a free bike service to students!

Wait, WHAT!? A free bike service!? Yes! In fact, B-cycle describes itself as:

a next-gen bike-sharing system. In layman’s terms: B-cycles are magic bikes that are there when you want one and gone when you don’t. Just swipe your card, grab a bike, and get to where you’re going.

Pretty nifty huh? This will use advanced operating software and recognize card swipes of students to provide them with this service. The pilot program will only consist of 10 bikes, but the UPUA hopes to increase this number in the near future (provided this program is successful). The program will be closely monitored, and it will track the progress Penn State is having with regards to sustainability.

By increasing the bike supply on campus (albeit very shortly at this given time period), the implementation of this program offers students with another free alternative transportation method. Given that B-cycle does not rely on any gas, students will be working hard to increase community involvement in maintaining a sustainable lifestyle at Penn State (PSU earns carbon credits by this use!). This will also be a very healthy initiative, allowing students to exercise while riding wherever they need to go.

All I can say is that I really hope this becomes a permanent fixture at Penn State, because it seems like a fantastic idea!

[Photo Credit: Chase Tralka]